Numerous leaders from the political and religious spheres of the United States joined in prayer in Statuary Hall of the US Capitol Building to commemorate a similar assembly held more than 200 years ago. The unique prayer meeting was called ‘Washington: A Man of Prayer, 2014’ and was convened to commemorate the day that President George Washington, immediately after being inaugurated the nation’s first president, led members of Congress to St Paul’s Episcopal Church on April 30, 1789, to offer a prayer of dedication to God on behalf of the new nation.

The May 7 prayer meeting featured Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, a noted author and Jewish religious leader, who led a group of prominent Americans in prayer and also offered a challenge to those attending. Rabbi Cahn is the author of the bestselling book “The Harbinger” and is a frequent critic of what he regards as the moral failings extant in the US.

Rabbi Cahn spoke to attendees and referenced President Washington’s 1789 address in which the founding father said that the new nation would not prosper in absence of a belief in the God of Moses and Jesus. Quoting Washington, Rabbi Cahn said, “’The propitious smile of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself hath ordained.’”

Expanding on the theme, Rabbi Cahn said “We stand tonight on Capitol Hill, in the city named after the one who gave that prophetic warning, to ask, can a nation drive out the name of God from its public square, and the Word of God from its schools and the ways of God from its culture and still expect the smiles of God to shine upon it?” He added, “Can the blood of 50 million unborn children cry out to heaven from this land and the smiles of heaven still remain?”

“Members of Congress, can a government call evil good and good evil and forge laws that war against the laws of the Almighty and the smiles of heaven still remain?”

“Supreme Court justices, can you strike down the statutes of the Almighty and overturn the judgments of the Most High and still expect the smiles of heaven to remain?”

Speaking to the absent President Barack Obama, Rabbi Cahn said “Mr. President, can you place your left hand on the Word of God to assume your office and with your right hand sign laws which break the very Word upon which you swore and still expect the smiles of heaven to remain?

“The voice of our first president cries out to us tonight and answers, no you cannot do so and still expect the smiles of heaven to remain on this land.”

The gathering was emceed by former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and hosted by Representative Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. Also attending were members of Congress, government officials, and invited guests. Among the religious leaders in attendance were Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. of the Fellowship of International Churches and Bishop ÁngelNuñez of the Bilingual Christian Church. Other individuals included: Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Dr. Robert Jeffress, Phyllis Schlafly of the Eagle Forum, columnist and activist Star Parker, Dr. Jim Garlow, CharmaineYoest of Americans United for Life, and Rafael Cruz (father of Sen. Ted Cruz R-TX)

Spero News editor Martin Barillas is a former US diplomat, who also worked as a democracy advocate and election observer in Latin America. He is also a freelance translator.